Computational Journalist, Data Reporting

Application Instructions

Please list all professional experience and explain any gaps in employment history. All of your application materials, which may include PDF files of work samples and/or links to audio, video, photography or graphics, must be uploaded to the field labeled Resume/Cover Letter/Work Samples to be considered for the position.

Job Description

The Washington Post is seeking a collaborative, creative journalist and technologist who can help build data pipelines, unlock new data sources and use quantitative analysis to cover topics ranging from education to criminal justice. This is a data reporting role that will also be tasked with helping implement devops best practices for the data reporting team.

The Post’s data reporting team consists of a group of journalists who work across the newsroom to unearth impactful stories from data. This reporter will be embedded with the National desk, working closely with national correspondents on a wide variety of topics – but will also work across the room on our most technologically complicated journalism, partnering with peers from a range of disciplines on large datasets and special projects.

Ideal candidates will be driven to produce revelatory work, whether in the form of tools for the newsroom or in data analysis that delivers critical insights to Post audiences. They will also be curious, lifelong learners, possessing deep skepticism and a healthy dose of good cheer, who are happy to help a teammate and who thrive through sharing knowledge and working together.

Responsibilities: 

• Identify great stories powered by data, pitching new ideas and elevating others’ ideas with novel analysis and data-gathering approaches. 

• Handle large, complex datasets. Help create replicable workflows for cloud computing processes, big data storage and ETL processes.

• Help set devops best practices to develop data team infrastructure for cloud computing, analyzing very large datasets and deploying internal tools, including evaluating providers and training data team colleagues.

• Partner across the team and newsroom, working closely with journalists focused on text, graphics and other story-telling formats. 

• Acquire data, conduct statistical analysis and pursue traditional lines of reporting.  

• Work at a variety of speeds, from breaking news to long-term projects. 

Qualifications: 

• At least 3 years’ professional journalism experience. 

• Expert-level skills in an analysis language such as R or Python. 

• Experience with machine learning and AI techniques are a plus.

• Experience deploying software to cloud-computing providers like AWS or Heroku, e.g. with Docker, and with Linux, Google BigQuery or other engineering tools are considered a major plus.

• A team spirit and keen instincts for data that can yield compelling stories. 

This position is based in our Washington, D.C., newsroom. 

Candidates should upload a résumé, cover letter and three clips [as PDFs] to our jobs portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by May 16 will be prioritized. Cover letters should be addressed to Data Reporting Director Meghan Hoyer and Data Reporting Deputy Director Anu Narayanswamy.

The starting salary range for this position is: $109,200.00 — $182,000.00. The actual salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.

The Washington Post’s policy for employees is five days per week in the office, with exceptions for newsgathering and general business travel.

Compensation and Benefits

Wherever you are in your life or career, The Washington Post offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits for every step of your journey:

• Competitive medical, dental and vision coverage

• Company-paid pension and 401(k) match

• Three weeks of vacation and up to three weeks of paid sick leave

• Nine paid holidays and two personal days

• 20 weeks paid parental leave for any new parent

• Robust mental health resources

• Backup care and caregiver concierge services

• Gender affirming services

• Pet insurance

• Free Post digital subscription

• Leadership and career development programs

Benefits may vary based on the job, full-time or part-time schedule, location, and collectively bargained status.

The Post strives to provide its readers with high-quality, trustworthy news and information while constantly innovating. That mission is best served by a diverse, multi-generational workforce with varied life experiences and perspectives. All cultures and backgrounds are welcomed. 

Ever wondered if what you are doing will Impact Tomorrow? At The Washington Post, every employee shapes the way we deliver the news. Find the career that’s right for you

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